The Speaking Up Podcast

If you're currently working from home and most of your calls are on Zoom, you're probably wondering how you can possibly level up and get that promotion, ask for that raise, make that golden networking connection?

One of my favorite ways to make connections is the walk and talk, but that's just not possible when working from home. So in this episode we show you how you can reach people and showcase yourself effectively virtually, such as:

• Consider how you want to be seen and what you want to be known for.
• Consider what you don't want to be known for.
• Think about how you can change your reputation.

The screen only needs to be a barrier if you choose to make it one, so take control of your career and empower yourself!

Here are the highlights from this episode:

{2:51} A solid strategy never fails

{4:54} Think about your personal brand

{6:19} You can change how you represent yourself

Connect with Elizabeth:

Web: https://www.elizabethkoraca.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethkoraca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethkoraca/

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespeakinguppodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethKoraca/

Twitter: Elizabeth Koraca (@ElizabethKoraca) / Twitter

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGl8fu0OF8KEFHKz312rl9Q

If someone cuts in front of you in line, or sits in your seat at the movie theatre, do you confront them? Or do you constantly run through in your mind all the things you'd wish you said?

If you choose not to face a difficult situation, it's probably because you fear what might happen, and most of the time it will not be as bad as your imagination lets you believe! Of course, there's a right way and a right time to have these difficult conversations, be it with a friend, a colleague, or a complete stranger.

In this episode I give you some top tips you can use to prepare for potentially difficult conversations, such as:

• Make a list of the talking points.
• Avoid accusations.
• Stay in control of your emotions.
• Be prepared to apologize.
• Be prepared to accept an apology... gracefully!

You should never enter a difficult conversation or confrontation without mentally preparing, and if you listen to this podcast you will have some of the tools you need to go in with a positive mindset and get the outcome you need.

Here are the highlights from this episode:

{2:04} Take a break and regroup

{5:27} My difficult conversation with a colleague

{7:02} How to get prepared for a difficult conversation

Connect with Elizabeth:

Web: https://www.elizabethkoraca.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethkoraca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethkoraca/

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespeakinguppodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethKoraca/

Twitter: Elizabeth Koraca (@ElizabethKoraca) / Twitter

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGl8fu0OF8KEFHKz312rl9Q

In today's world with social media, whether you like it or not, you have a personal brand. And it's important for all of us to know not just how to manage our personal brand, but how to sell it. The elevator pitch is a powerful tool that helps you to sell yourself to anyone, at any time, and turn your idol into your colleague in under a minute.

In this episode I give you four tips you should use to make your own elevator pitch as effective as possible, including:

1. Make a list of your special qualities.
2. Use personal stories and anecdotes.
3. Know your audience.
4. Be flexible with how you pitch based on who you're pitching to.

If you follow these tips and perfect your elevator pitch, you will be ready to sell yourself even in the most unexpected of opportunities.

Here are the highlights from this episode:

{2:42} What is an elevator pitch?

{4:54} Everybody has a personal brand.

{6:18} Show your human side – you're not a robot!

Mentioned in this Episode:

Episode 22: 5 Tips for Savvy Self-Promotion

Connect with Elizabeth:

Web: https://www.elizabethkoraca.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethkoraca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethkoraca/

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespeakinguppodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethKoraca/

Twitter: Elizabeth Koraca (@ElizabethKoraca) / Twitter

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGl8fu0OF8KEFHKz312rl9Q

It feels like a lifetime ago when Covid wasn't part of our vocabulary and Zoom wasn't an essential tool for work, but nowadays it seems like everyone and their pets are using Zoom or some other video conferencing app on a daily basis.

Most of us are not used to seeing ourselves on camera, and so this new virtual world can feel daunting and trigger feelings of low self-confidence or anxiety. The good news is you're not alone.

In this episode, I give you some practical tips to help you feel more comfortable in your skin, so you can stop dreading and start smashing those meetings! This includes:

• Plan ahead and think about your goals for the meeting.
• Understand what contribution you need/want to make.
• Think about your background.
• Stay engaged.

So whether it's for work meetings, social catchups or recording a podcast, it's now more important than ever to think about how we can present the best version of ourselves on Zoom to create a positive impression and get ahead.

Here are the highlights from this episode:

{3:06} Good lighting isn't just for YouTubers and TikTok influencers anymore!

{5:04} People notice when you're confident.

{7:07} Stay involved in the conversation.

Connect with Elizabeth:

Web: https://www.elizabethkoraca.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethkoraca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethkoraca/

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespeakinguppodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethKoraca/

Twitter: Elizabeth Koraca (@ElizabethKoraca) / Twitter

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGl8fu0OF8KEFHKz312rl9Q

If you don't already list your soft skills on your resume, you may want to start considering it. Employers value soft skills, and promoting them could be the difference between you getting that dream... or not.

You may be wondering exactly what soft skills are, and in this episode we take a look at five specific examples:

1. Communication
2. Teamwork
3. Time management
4. Critical thinking
5. Empathy

You may not give any of the above a second thought when applying for jobs or negotiating a promotion or pay rise. In most cases, these soft skills come naturally and without thinking. But that doesn't mean you're either born with them or not – it's never too late to learn a new soft skill, and in this episode I help you understand how to identify them, and how to use them to your advantage.

Here are the highlights from this episode:

{1:50} We take soft skills for granted.

{4:14} Your soft skills make you unique, so point them out!

{7:19} Use your soft skills in your elevator pitch.

Connect with Elizabeth:

Web: https://www.elizabethkoraca.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethkoraca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethkoraca/

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespeakinguppodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethKoraca/

Twitter: Elizabeth Koraca (@ElizabethKoraca) / Twitter

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGl8fu0OF8KEFHKz312rl9Q

We spend a huge part of our working lives surrounded by our colleagues and peers, so it's natural that so many of you have been asking about how to build friendships and a strong support network from your working relationships.

Colleagues are like family – you don't get to choose them, but if you have to co-exist for 8 hours day you should at least learn how to make it work, right?

In this episode I give you some useful steps to help kickstart your workplace support system, including:

• Make the first move and extend an invitation.
• Reach out to individuals in other teams or departments.
• Join work groups, clubs and organizations.

These are just a few ideas to help you get started, but if you really want to build a strong support system at work, be proactive, take control and create the work environment you want!

Here are the highlights from this episode:

{3:12} You can't choose your colleagues

{5:27} Everyone else wants that support too

{7:58} Do not tolerate a toxic work environment

Connect with Elizabeth:

Web: https://www.elizabethkoraca.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethkoraca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethkoraca/

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespeakinguppodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethKoraca/

Twitter: Elizabeth Koraca (@ElizabethKoraca) / Twitter

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGl8fu0OF8KEFHKz312rl9Q

Are you dreading getting out of bed? Are you worried about a presentation or work project? Do you wake up and think, "ugh, that's today?"

Even if you have a day that will bring challenges, you have the choice of facing the day with a positive attitude or with a negative one. If your thoughts take you down a negative path, chances are you will have a bad day. If you wake up and think, "yep, today might be a challenge, but I have done my best, am prepared and I am going to ace it!" When you set yourself up for a positive experience, you're more likely to have one!

In this episode I show you the questions I ask my clients, including: Take some time, write these down and give it some energy and focus.

1. What makes you excited?
2. If you could work one job for the rest of your life for no pay, what would it be?
3. If you knew there was no chance of failure, what path would your life take?

Take some time, write these down and give it some energy and focus. I'm hoping these three questions can help you find a passion and perhaps a focus and a way to channel your energy in a positive way.

So where do you want your energy to take you?

Here are the highlights from this episode:

{2:05} Don't fixate on the past

{5:44} Positive vibes are contagious

{8:35} If there was no chance of failure, what path would your life take?

Also Mentioned in this Episode:

Episode 14: Don't Fixate on the Past

Connect with Elizabeth:

Web: https://www.elizabethkoraca.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethkoraca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethkoraca/

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespeakinguppodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethKoraca/

Twitter: Elizabeth Koraca (@ElizabethKoraca) / Twitter

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGl8fu0OF8KEFHKz312rl9Q

As we edge closer to Thanksgiving and the festive season, it's so easy to feel overwhelmed with busy social diaries, family events and all the extra personal errands on top of your busy careers. But it's not always external chaos causing us to feel this way.

You may work in a high pressure environment, or maybe you take on more responsibilities because you want to make a good impression or don't want to let your colleagues down. But in doing this you may start to resent your job, or worse, get hit with burnout.

So in this episode I'm giving you permission to say "no" when you've taken on too much, and I give you four practical tips to help you do it, including:

• Practice, practice, practice!
• Remember you're setting clear boundaries.
• Stop yourself BEFORE you get burnout.
• Honor yourself.

Although you may feel like you're disappointing people, it's ok to say when enough is enough and, in the long term, you'll be more productive and successful for it.

Here are the highlights from this episode:

{1:37} It's easy to blame ourselves

{3:04} Be brave and say when enough is enough

{5:22} Saying no doesn't make you a bad person

Also Mentioned in this Episode:

Episode 7: Avoiding Burnout

Connect with Elizabeth:

Web: https://www.elizabethkoraca.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethkoraca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethkoraca/

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespeakinguppodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethKoraca/

Twitter: Elizabeth Koraca (@ElizabethKoraca) / Twitter

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGl8fu0OF8KEFHKz312rl9Q

How many times do you think "I deserve a raise?" This may be true, but does your boss know? Does your boss know exactly what you do, what you've accomplished, and what role you have played in the success of the team or business? Probably not. They are juggling so many plates that your contributions have gone unnoticed, or under-appreciated, so you need to bring them to light.

In this episode I give you five top tips to help you ask for the raise, including:

1. Make sure the company is in good financial shape.
2. Don't ask every month – pick your moment!
3. Know what your work is worth.
4. Understand the company's protocols around raises.
5. Let your boss know that your contributions go above and beyond the job description.

Getting a raise is as much about your contributions as it is about being prepared and catching your boss at the right time, so listen to this podcast and give yourself the best chance of success!

Here are the highlights from this episode:

{1:14} Always be prepared

{3:50} If you don't feel supported, it's probably time to move on

{7:49} It's not easy asking for a raise, but that's no excuse!

Connect with Elizabeth:

Web: https://www.elizabethkoraca.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethkoraca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethkoraca/

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespeakinguppodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethKoraca/

Twitter: Elizabeth Koraca (@ElizabethKoraca) / Twitter

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGl8fu0OF8KEFHKz312rl9Q

In the past 18 months, many of us have had more time to reflect on our own solidarity, and for those who are very successful in their careers it can feel very isolating. You may have a lot of money and all the things you want in life, but you still feel empty.

Can you relate to this?

Ironically, you are not alone in feeling isolated, so in this episode I'm going to help you fight loneliness with some scientific insights and advice including:

• In a recent survey, nearly half of US adults reported feeling that they are always, or mostly always alone.
• When you're looking to make a new connection, remember, that not everyone is interested in making new friends, and that's okay so quickly move on to someone who is interested.
• Create strong connections by finding common ground.

Good relationships are about authenticity and trust. So if you're feeling lonely, remember the next person you meet may be feeling exactly the same.

Here are the highlights from this episode:

{2:09} You are not alone.

{3:56} Loneliness can impact your health.

{6:02} Not everyone wants to be your friend, and that's okay.

Connect with Elizabeth:

Web: https://www.elizabethkoraca.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethkoraca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethkoraca/

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespeakinguppodcast/